Chien (and its feminine form, chienne) is the most common way to say "dog" in French. But did you know there are many other delightful ways to talk about our furry friends in French? Whether you're chatting with a French-speaking pet owner, reading a French novel, or simply want to expand your vocabulary, knowing these alternatives can make your conversations much richer. Let's dive into 9 different ways to say "dog" in French, from the most common to some charming slang terms!

The standard 'dog' – chien/chienne

Chien(ne) is the most basic, common word for 'dog' in French.

This word has to agree with the animal or animals it’s referring to, so you’ll see it either as:chien - a male dog or an unspecified dogchienne - a female dogchiens - more than one male dog or a group of male and female dogschiennes - more than one female dog

It can be used in formal or informal situations, so it’s the perfect go-to word for 'dog' in French.

…But 'chienne' can also be used as an insult or a derogatory term when referring to a person.

To tell which one a person means, as a general rule:When 'chienne' refers to an animal, it simply means 'female dog'.When 'chienne' is used to describe a person, it is almost always a derogatory term, implying someone is mean, nasty, or a 'bitch'.

So for instance, Ma chienne est très joueuse (My female dog is very playful) clearly refers to an animal. However, if someone says Elle est une vraie chienne, it implies a strong negative judgment about a woman's character.

These are general rules, but context is key. It's always 'chienne' for a female dog, regardless of any potential human-related negative connotations. The word itself is not inherently an insult, but its application to humans is.

Fortunately, knowing which one is being implied is usually pretty easy to suss out by context. If someone is talking about an animal, it's a dog. If they are speaking about a person's behavior, especially a woman's, it's likely the pejorative meaning.

The use of 'chienne' as an insult for a woman carries a strong negative charge in French culture, similar to its English equivalent. It's considered vulgar and aggressive. It's important for learners to be aware of this double meaning to avoid misunderstandings or offense.

💡 * J'ai un chien et une chienne. (I have a male dog and a female dog.)* Le chien aboie fort. (The dog barks loudly.)* Elle est partie promener sa chienne. (She went to walk her female dog.)* Les chiens sont les meilleurs amis de l'homme. (Dogs are man's best friends.)* Ne sois pas une chienne! (Don't be a bitch! - Highly offensive when directed at a person)

The affectionate 'doggie' or 'pooch' – toutou

While chien is the standard French word for 'dog,' the term toutou offers a more tender and affectionate alternative, often translating to 'doggie' or 'pooch' in English.

You'll most commonly hear toutou used when talking about small dogs, puppies, or when speaking to or about a dog in a loving, familiar way. It's also frequently used by children or when addressing children about a dog.

The diminutive connotation of toutou evokes a sense of smallness, cuteness, and endearment, making it perfect for beloved pets that are cherished members of the family.

For instance, a parent might ask their child, "Tu veux caresser le toutou?" (Do you want to pet the doggie?). Or you might see a small fluffy dog and exclaim, "Quel joli toutou!" (What a pretty pooch!).

While chien is appropriate in all contexts, using toutou adds a layer of warmth and intimacy, distinguishing a cherished pet from a generic dog in a more affectionate manner.

So, when you want to express extra affection for a furry friend, remember that toutou is the perfect word to convey that special, loving bond.

💡 * Regarde ce petit toutou! Il est adorable. (Look at that little doggie! He's adorable.)

Mon toutou adore jouer à la balle. (My doggie loves to play fetch.)

Elle a acheté un nouveau toutou pour sa fille. (She bought a new pooch for her daughter.)

Viens ici, mon toutou! (Come here, my doggie!)

C'est le toutou de la voisine, il est très gentil. (That's the neighbor's doggie, he's very nice.)

The informal 'mutt' or 'hound' (slang) – clebs

Another highly informal and common way to refer to a dog in French is clebs.

Clebs is a slang term that can mean 'mutt,' 'hound,' or simply 'dog.' It's very informal and can sometimes carry a slightly derogatory or affectionate nuance, depending on the context.

The word clebs is an example of verlan, a French argot where syllables of a word are inverted. In this case, it comes from chien (dog), with the syllables reversed and slightly modified.

Clebs is typically masculine and often used with the indefinite article un (e.g., un clebs). For the plural, you would use des clebs. It doesn't change form for gender, as it's already a slang term for 'dog' regardless of the dog's actual gender.

While chien is the standard and neutral term for 'dog,' clebs is strictly informal and should be used in casual settings among friends. It's akin to saying 'pooch' or 'mutt' in English.

💡 * J'ai vu un gros clebs dans la rue. (I saw a big mutt in the street.)

Mes clebs adorent courir dans le jardin. (My dogs love running in the garden.)

Fais attention, il y a un clebs pas très sympa. (Be careful, there's not a very friendly dog.)

C'est un bon clebs, il est très fidèle. (He's a good dog, he's very loyal.)

The 'puppy' – chiot

The French word for 'puppy' is chiot.

Chiot is a masculine noun. Therefore, it will always be preceded by masculine articles like un or le, even if the puppy itself is female.

It's used directly to refer to a young dog, similar to how 'puppy' is used in English. It can also be used affectionately, though less commonly than 'pote' for a person.

💡 * J'ai un nouveau chiot à la maison. (I have a new puppy at home.)

Regarde ce petit chiot, il est trop mignon ! (Look at that little puppy, he's so cute!)

Les chiots jouent dans le jardin. (The puppies are playing in the garden.)

Mon chiot dort beaucoup. (My puppy sleeps a lot.)

The 'mongrel' or 'mutt' – bâtard

The “mongrel” or “mutt” – bâtard

Bâtard literally translates to “bastard” or “illegitimate child.” In its most common animal-related usage, it refers to a mongrel or mutt — an animal of mixed breed, often implying an unknown or inferior lineage.

Beyond animals, bâtard is frequently used as a derogatory term for a person, similar to “bastard” in English. It implies someone is mean, cruel, or contemptible.

This is a highly informal and often offensive word. Its use carries strong negative connotations, and it should be used with extreme caution. It can be a serious insult.

While sometimes used playfully among very close friends (much like “you old dog” in English, but far stronger), this is rare and depends heavily on context and relationship. Generally, it's employed when expressing anger, frustration, or contempt towards someone.

Due to its strong, often offensive nature, it's best to avoid using bâtard in most social situations unless you are very familiar with the specific cultural nuances and the people you are speaking with. It can easily be misinterpreted as a severe insult.

💡 * Ce chien est un vrai bâtard, on ne sait pas quelle est sa race. (This dog is a real mongrel, we don't know its breed.)

Quel bâtard ! Il m'a volé mon portefeuille. (What a bastard! He stole my wallet.)

Ne sois pas un bâtard, aide-moi un peu ! (Don't be a jerk, help me out a little!)

C'est un coup bâtard, il n'a pas respecté les règles. (That's a dirty trick, he didn't follow the rules.)

The 'large powerful dog' (like a mastiff) – molosse

In French, the word molosse refers specifically to a large, powerful dog, often of the mastiff type. It's not just any big dog, but one characterized by its robust build, strong jaws, and often a protective or imposing demeanor.

The term molosse derives from the ancient Molossian dogs, originating from the region of Molossia in Epirus (ancient Greece). These dogs were renowned for their formidable strength and courage, used for guarding livestock and as war dogs.

Today, the category of molosse encompasses various breeds known for these traits, including Mastiffs (like the Dogue de Bordeaux or English Mastiff), Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, and Cane Corsos. They are typically muscular, heavy-boned, and possess a strong, sometimes intimidating, presence.

When someone refers to a dog as a molosse, they are emphasizing its imposing physical characteristics and often its perceived strength or protective nature. It can convey a sense of awe or caution, highlighting the dog's powerful build rather than just its size.

It's important to differentiate molosse from simply grand chien (big dog). While a molosse is certainly a grand chien, the term molosse carries a specific nuance of breed type and inherent power, making it a more precise and evocative description.

💡 *J'ai vu un énorme molosse dans le parc, il avait l'air très puissant. (I saw a huge molosse in the park, it looked very powerful.)
*Les molosses sont souvent utilisés comme chiens de garde. (Molosses are often used as guard dogs.)
*Son chien est un vrai molosse, mais il est très doux avec les enfants. (His dog is a real molosse, but he's very gentle with children.)
*Attention, ce n'est pas un caniche, c'est un molosse ! (Careful, that's not a poodle, it's a molosse!)

The 'canid' (zoological term) – canidé

In French, the zoological term for a 'canid' is un canidé.

A canidé refers to any member of the biological family Canidae, which includes domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals, and other related species. These animals are typically carnivorous mammals known for their keen sense of smell and adaptable nature.

Canidé is a masculine noun. Therefore, you will always use the masculine indefinite article un or the definite article le with it, as in un canidé or le canidé. For the plural, it becomes des canidés or les canidés.

💡 *Le loup est un canidé sauvage. (The wolf is a wild canid.)
*Les renards et les chiens sont des canidés. (Foxes and dogs are canids.)
*L'étude des canidés révèle leur incroyable diversité. (The study of canids reveals their incredible diversity.)
*Ce chercheur se spécialise dans le comportement des canidés. (This researcher specializes in the behavior of canids.)

The 'guard dog' – chien de garde

The “guard dog” – un/une chien de garde

Literally translating to “dog of guard,” chien de garde is the straightforward French term for a guard dog. It refers to a dog specifically trained or kept to protect property, people, or livestock.

This term is commonly used in its literal sense to describe a protective animal. You might see it on warning signs or hear it in discussions about security measures for homes or businesses.

Beyond its literal meaning, chien de garde can also be used figuratively to describe a person who is extremely watchful, protective, or vigilant, often acting as a gatekeeper or defender of something specific. This usage implies a strong, unwavering protective instinct.

💡 * Nous avons un chien de garde pour protéger notre propriété la nuit. (We have a guard dog to protect our property at night.)

Le panneau disait “Attention, chien de garde”. (The sign said “Beware, guard dog.”)

Il est le chien de garde de l'entreprise, toujours attentif aux nouvelles menaces. (He is the company's guard dog, always attentive to new threats.)

Mon père est un vrai chien de garde quand il s'agit de ses enfants. (My father is a real guard dog when it comes to his children.)

The 'purebred dog' – chien de race

When referring to a 'purebred dog' in French, the most accurate and commonly used term is chien de race. This phrase directly translates to 'dog of breed' or 'breed dog'.

The phrase chien de race is composed of two key elements: chien (dog) and race (breed). The preposition de (of) links them, forming a precise description. It signifies a dog belonging to a recognized, specific breed.

You will use chien de race in contexts where the specific lineage or breed of a dog is important, such as discussing pedigrees, dog shows, breeding, or when comparing different types of dogs. It’s a formal and clear way to specify a purebred animal.

To further understand chien de race, it’s helpful to know its opposite: a mixed-breed dog. In French, a mixed-breed dog can be called un chien croisé (a crossed dog) or, more informally, un bâtard (a mongrel), though the latter can sometimes be pejorative. The term un corniaud is also used for a common, often unknown mixed breed.

While chien de race is the standard, you might simply hear un berger allemand (a German Shepherd) or un caniche (a poodle) when the breed is known. However, when the concept of 'purebred' itself is the focus, chien de race is indispensable.

💡 *Mon voisin a un magnifique chien de race, un Golden Retriever. (My neighbor has a magnificent purebred dog, a Golden Retriever.)
*Elle rêve d'adopter un chien de race avec un bon pedigree. (She dreams of adopting a purebred dog with a good pedigree.)
*Les expositions canines ne sont ouvertes qu'aux chiens de race. (Dog shows are only open to purebred dogs.)
*Ce refuge a des chiens de race et des chiens croisés à l'adoption. (This shelter has purebred dogs and mixed-breed dogs for adoption.)
*Connaissez-vous les caractéristiques principales de cette race de chien ? (Do you know the main characteristics of this dog breed?)

Are there other ways to say 'dog' in French?

Are there other ways to say “dog” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “dog” in French. But there are other terms, from old-fashioned ones, to regional ones, to up-and-coming slang ones this middle-aged author might not even be aware of!

You can also do an online search for “comment dire chien en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region.

You might find some interesting synonyms for chien on this list. Of course, make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you use it.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to talk about dogs.

And if you’re looking for ways to talk about different kinds of dogs, or words about dogs in French, the WordReference entry for chien is a great place to start!

I hope you found this article helpful. Here’s a fitting quote to finish it with, reflecting the special bond we have with our canine companions, often attributed to Madame de Sévigné or Rousseau: Plus je connais les hommes, plus j'aime mon chien. (The more I know men, the more I love my dog.)

9 ways to say "dog" in French